I have decided to take the plunge and lower my 61 econoline. I think the best route is a dropped axle and a flip for the rear axle with a notch and reinforcement. I see that MAS racing products supplies axles for econolines up to a 7inch drop...has anyone ever used MAS for anything? Anybody dropped the econo using this route?
Im looking for an axle too.............I might need it a lil narrower then stock. let me know if you come up with something- Cole
I Bought A Axle And Disc Brake Set Up From Them. Alot Of There Stuff Comes From Speedway Automotive. They Weren't The Best To Deal With. I Would Try Speedway,they Are Great To Deal With And They Have Good Tech Help.
I called the guy...Matt was his name you tell him the drop and the width and he makes it...says its about three days to get it done... I am gunna measure out in the am and give it a whirl...my rough guess is about 5 inches...I am going to have to do something with the drag link though...I will have about two inches of clearance but that aint gunna be enough... I am leaning more and more to bagging the back with a two link.
I owned a 64' chevy van years ago...I took a few springs out of da' front and that lowered it enough. But the soft ride you might not like. you could have the springs rearched. back in the seventies we were running bigger tires so lower was not always good.
I've used mas parts on cars, didn't have a problem with the parts. but my experience has been that ya better damned well know aht ya want when ya call. Maybe I just always got the dummy on the floor. I got a question for ya with a 7" dropped axle where in earth are ya gonna sit? You are a little limited as to how much you can drop an econoline as I recall.
There is a bunch of room in the wheel wells. It does have a little 3 to 4 inch inner fender that may cause some issues..but I can fix them. My econo sitts pretty tall. (newly rearched springs) We measured it out this morning...to tuck an inch of tred on the front wheel and tire...5 inches will do. The axle is currently 52 inches king pin to king pin so I will pull two inches out width wise to help with turning. It looks like it will clear fine. As for the steering we will bend up some bars and heim joints. We will drop the back by 5 as well by flipping the axle and adding blocks if needed. I think we can get away with Cnotching and strengthening the faux frame for clearance without cutting up the bed. The lowest point on the truck will be the 3spd. Which will be 5 inches off the ground. I'll build a skid plate for it, case I let the kid drive it. I was going to go 7 but 5 will be soo much easier and shouldnit affect the drivability. I will order the axle monday and keep ya all posted as we do it.
if MAS is going to make an axle.you can move the spring perches.so,the axle can sit on the springs.that will lower it 5 inches.be sure to lay the axle back 7 to 9 degrees for better ride. good luck !
erock, Don't do a two- link! My sons Shoebox had a two-link when I bought it. ****ed up the frame,cause it twisted up the cross member. It's great if you're just gonna go straight and not go into driveways. I'd flip it,and keep the leafs. The drag links aren't to hard to modify.
Bad Bob, yeah we are keepin the leafs in back... Maybe bring it to primer nats....long fnn drive though
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